What would it mean for a Tiger team built around running the football? Can any quarterback on the current roster run that kind of offense? What role would the 26-year head coaching veteran play on the recruiting trail?

More to the point — is this a smart hire or a Hail Mary for head coach Tony Hughes?

"Look, we've struggled offensively the last two years," Hughes said. "The bottom line is we've got to be more productive and we've gotta score more points. What we were doing just wasn't working."

Mumme's offense, he hopes, will do just that. Despite Belhaven's 2-9 record last season, the Blazers rolled up 445.3 yards of total offense a game.

That's a lot more productive than JSU, which ranked dead-last in the SWAC in both scoring offense (12.7 points a game) and total offense (231.8 yards) last season and averaged just 128 yards passing with five touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

"It's an interesting move," Hughes said. "Because in the history of college football, (Mumme) is known as one of the top innovators and inventors of the air raid offense. And that's all we're asking him to do here is run the offense."

While Mumme's teams are known for potent passing attacks — Belhaven averaged 55.8 pass attempts per game last year — Hughes said he expects the former Kentucky head coach to tailor his game plans around the personnel that is already in place.

Hughes said he first became familiar with Mumme when he was an assistant at West Alabama and Mumme was the head coach at Valdosta State from 1992-93.

And while Valdosta quarterback Chris Hatcher got most of the accolades, it was the running back Dominique Ross that Hughes remembers.

"He transferred in from Florida State, and nobody could touch him for like three years in that league," Hughes said. "So I know Hal is not afraid to utilize whatever strengths our roster has."

Mumme has also traditionally done a good job of getting the most out of tight ends, and Jackson State has a pair of good young options there in Kyland Richey and Adarius Craft.

But what about weaknesses?

For an offense that centers around the quarterback, the pickings are slim on the current Tiger roster.

There's Jordan Williams, a run-first quarterback who completed 56 of 94 passes for 509 yards with three touchdowns and four picks last year. There's Jarrad Hayes, who completed 11 of 17 passes for 50 yards with three scores and an interception, and there's Tavis Williams, who played in two games without attempting a pass.

Which brings us to recruiting.

Hughes is hoping that bringing Mumme aboard will convince some higher-profile offensive prospects to take a second look at Jackson State. They desperately need to sign somewhere between five to seven wide receivers and at least two quarterbacks to spawn competition at those positions.

"It's a different dynamic," Hughes said. "It's a change in direction that ought to create a sense of excitement for our players and for recruits who want to play in a 21st-century offense."

Mumme did not immediately respond to phone calls Monday but said on his radio show on 105.9-FM Monday that he is excited to accept the new challenge and is looking forward to coaching offense in lieu if being a head coach.

While he is officially a full-time member of the staff, he's going to continue to host that radio show, which airs from 10 a.m. to noon on weekdays.